Forgiving Others

Forgiveness is immediate; trust takes time.

When you have been wounded, the last thing you want to do is extend forgiveness. You naturally want to them to pay for the pain they have inflicted. You want them to suffer the consequences of their actions. Somehow you want them to serve a sentence for their wrong doing.

For the follower of Christ, forgiveness is not optional. Extending forgiveness is commanded and modeled by Jesus. In fact, you cannot have a right relationship with God unless you have a right relationship with others. You cannot have a right relationship with others unless you have a right relationship with God. Unless you forgive, you will not be forgiven.

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt 6:14-15 (NIV)

If you do not forgive, then you will not be forgiven. Now that’s powerful motivation. Notice that Jesus does not mention whether a person deserves to be forgiven or not. The truth is none of us deserves to be forgiven by God. 

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph 4:32 (NIV)

Read the verse one more time and focus on the words, “just as.” How can you be kind and compassionate to someone who has wounded you? How can you forgive someone who has inflicted pain in your life? “Just as” in Christ God forgave you!

Until you forgive, you will be imprisoned. Until you forgive, you will be shackled by the past. Take God at His Word and extend forgiveness “just as” in Christ God extended forgiveness to you.

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care